Episode 21 Transcript: Tips from 22 Years Raising Vegan Children with Mistye Momon
Karla Moreno-Bryce: Have you ever wondered how other vegan parents handle certain social situations? Or perhaps you’re curious to know what other vegan families prepare for meals and need meal ideas? If so, I’m so glad you’re tuning in to the Vegan Kids Nutrition Podcast today because you’re going to hear about experiences, challenges, and inspiration from Mistye Momon, an entrepreneur, a mother of five, and a beacon for the vegan journey.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mistye at the Vegan Women Summit in May of 2024 where we were invited to speak on a panel and share our journey following a vegan lifestyle throughout pregnancy and our own experiences raising kids on a vegan diet. I was incredibly moved by her story because having the experience of raising five kids on a vegan lifestyle, with her oldest now 22 years old, her passion and dedication to veganism, I wanted others to hear how she navigated life as a vegan parent, even 22 years ago.
Mistye Momon is our first guest speaker on the show and I’m really excited for you to hear our conversation. She’s also the owner of Buttafly Kisses Vegan Treats in Austell, GA where she is not only committed to baking vegan desserts but also to using wholesome ingredients and ensuring that every vegan treat taste delicious. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Karla Moreno-Bryce: Well, I am so excited to have you here, Mistye, as a guest today because I know that your experience, insights, and advice are going to be so, so helpful for the vegan caregivers who are listening to the podcast today. But before we get started, share with us where you're from, a little bit about your family and what led you to raise a vegan family.
Mistye Momon: Okay, I'm Mistye, of course, and I am born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a mother of five children, and the crazy thing about it is I actually wanted five children. I did, I did. I wanted a big family. I felt like, the more children, the more love, on top of the fact that I do adore children.
My background is in early childhood education. I'm an educator first, and so that also sparked my love for children, of course. And, starting in teaching, I wanted early childhood education because I enjoy the little ones. You know, they're little sponges. You kind of get to mold them and play with them and stay young and free.
And so once I got into teaching, there was this itch of more, you know, I really wanted to increase myself as a person. And that was with starting a business. And I wasn't sure at the time what it was. And so I was raising my children vegan. Ever since they were born.
My oldest is 22 now. Just had a birthday, so.
Karla Moreno-Bryce: Wow, happy birthday. 22 years.
Mistye Momon: Thank you. He's 22 now, and I have been raising him, I'll say, because he was the first one vegan his whole life. And during that time there were no vegan celebratory cakes or cupcakes or just desserts that tasted really good. And I started baking. I started baking for for my children's needs, because they were looking so sad at celebrations, not able to participate, and not able to taste the cakes or anything.
And I won’t say we were straight to vegans, but I definitely didn't want to expose them to anything just for the sake of them having a celebration, you know, and being participate in something. so I started my business, Buttafly Kisses Vegan Treats, just to fill that need for them. And I realized that other parents also were in the same boat that I was, raising their children on a plant based diet or even dairy free, lactose intolerant or egg allergies. And then the business kind of really took off from there.
Karla Moreno-Bryce: Nice. Well, thank you for that. I know we need, we're in need of more vegan snack and food companies just like yours. And it's amazing your story of how you had a challenge with your kids and you create. You were able to create Buttafly Kisses Vegan Treats out of that. Before the birth of your, business. How did you navigate those social situations such as birthday parties or school events if your oldest, happened to be exposed to non-vegan food?
Mistye Momon: Right? That was really the most challenging. As of course, you know, when they're in our care, when we have them from ages, you know, birth up until we decide to put them in school, we can control so much more. Once I put them in daycare, I was so blessed to be able to have them in a vegan daycare.
So that was really comforting for me. But when they were invited out to birthday parties, I would get so much anxiety and so much stress because I didn't want them to feel left out, number one. Number two, what am I going to do? Like what am I going to bring them and how am I going to carry it?
Are the people at the party going to look at me crazy for saying, no, we're not going to eat your cake or your cupcakes. Please don't give him ice cream. You know, it was so much to stand up for yourself too. And and be okay with that judgment from other people, like, oh, okay, well, what what are you going to eat?
Or even they're passing out hot dogs. And my child is like, what? What do you have? What are we eating? So it was beyond just the desserts. I had to also provide the food, for my child. And so after a few events of like, okay, we this is not going to work, and I'm going to have to start advocating for myself and be okay saying, no, wait, he doesn't eat so well, what about you know, people would try what?
We'll just take the cheese off. No thank you. Like, hey, we're not going to do that at all. And so I had to be very proactive and start bringing our own things. And you know, it wasn't pizza. You know, it may have just been his favorite snack. It may have just been a sandwich. You know, when it came to the celebratory cakes and cupcakes, I would just get like a bowl of fruit for him and have him eat it or just be like, you do.
Mistye Momon:
Do you want your favorite snack or do you want this fruit? You know, or even a granola bowl? I would just make little granola bowls, at the time. And they had vegan yogurt, of course. So I'll put a little bit of yogurt in it. Just something that would feel like it was sweet, but it was very challenging to me.
I almost did not want to be invited to parties because beyond the desserts, we have a thing about the food because all the kids are running around eating pizza, hot dogs, wings, whatever the kids had at the parties. And we were not going to participate in that. And also it felt awkward to say, no, we're just going to eat the celery and the carrots, you know? Thank you. But once I got over that, I just had to advocate for myself and, you know, in my child and my children moving forward.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
I often feel that as parents, we want to do that, but often feel afraid or have fear in order to advocate not just for ourselves, but especially for our kids. And so where did you find that confidence and how long did it take for you to say, no, this is these are my values and I want to follow through with them.
Mistye Momon:
Absolutely. Just like how we're talking and how I met you and the wonderful women on the panel, that community of meeting other like minded individuals, other parents, other moms was really the strength, right? You know, I mentioned they attended a vegan daycare. So speaking about the the woes and the challenges with other women, in other moms and other families made it so much easier because they would kind of give me tips on what they were doing or like, no, no, this is what we do. We're absolutely not. And I'm like, oh, okay. That's okay. Okay.
Yes. So I would say community, just building a community of like minded individuals, especially moms, you know, we really need each other. Oh, yeah. You know, it's it's a big deal. You know, it's it's difficult to parent isolated, especially as women and and we sometimes we think we're the only ones going through certain things.
And when we have that community, we're like, oh, my gosh, it's not just me. I feel so much better you know.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
You feel seen.
Mistye Momon:
Yeah, you feel seen. So I would say I'm creating that community and having like minded individuals and women to discuss what gave me that confidence.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
It's amazing. Now, back then, we didn't really hear vegan families or about vegan kids. What was that experience 22 years ago?
Mistye Momon:
Karla, it was so rough. I think I was called so many things, you know, maybe not blatant in my face, but I definitely would hear the comment, I was neglecting my children. I battled so many people who I'd known for years on. Where are you going to get your protein from? like I let me just bring to a skating rink, like, over the summer, kids at a daycamp, you know, we're at a skating rink having fun, and now I'm in a debate on hot dogs, you know, like, oh, I was like, no, he doesn't. He's not eating that. No, we don't eat hot dogs or, you know, now, I have to explain to people why we don't eat hot dogs. And I'm like, do you really want the true answer or do you want to just a politically correct answer, because I can break it all the way down for you on how disgusting this is, you know.
But it was very challenging. Even in the family situation. Parents, brothers. They made us feel like we were doing something wrong. Right. Yeah. You know, we were, we were being neglectful and everyone else is fine. You know, your family grew up eating this and they're fine. You know, why would deprive your children and your family of.
And I'm like of what? You know, give me the answer of what? What are we depriving them of? But those were some really some really tough times, finding the confidence to still stay the course on raising our children vegan and and plant based and things like that. Those are really challenging.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Yeah. I can't imagine what that was like back then. I mean, we're still facing that today in 2024. And it's it's mind boggling to think that this lifestyle isn't supported by society and family members and especially health care providers. I mean, many health care providers that I hear of often advise parents against a vegan diet. And given the data granted, it's a little bit limited right now with vegan kids.
But given the data that we have right now, generally on a plant based diet, we know that it's appropriate that a well balanced and supplemental diet is perfectly adequate to support the growth of vegan kids. Now, did you ever experience those kinds of challenges with, health care providers?
Mistye Momon:
Yes. I think that also that was very challenging as well. especially because we we are raising our children holistically. that means, you know, no immunizations. We're not doing the traditional, you know, checkups, like my children are fine. Leave them alone. You know, because we have to answer so many questions. And I think the fear of them calling child Protective Services, right.
The fear of them saying, you know, something negative to us and referring us to a specialist was really at the forefront of, of my mind. So I had to choose very carefully our pediatricians and I also had to kind of tell them what they want to hear, you know, so that we could move forward. And it wasn't that I didn't I didn't divulge exactly how I was raising them.
I just made sure I let them know that, yes, they're eating well balanced. Yes, they're up on that. I mean, I say whatever you want, whatever you need to hear for us to get through this, I will give that information to you. But also when you are evaluating my child, you have nothing to say. You know, they're healthy, they're doing well, they're growing well, which let me know.
This is something that is really working, you know, beyond what the medical profession want us to tell you. But it definitely was was a stigma, right? You know, because they asked us the the main questions and you're like, yes, this is what we do. You know, I just kind of pretty much gave them what they wanted to hear so that we can move forward, because that ridicule and that fear of, of, of we were doing something wrong and neglectful as parents.
I think I had one, one pediatrician say, well, you know, you are not supposed to give your child like almond milk. They should just stay on formula or breast milk. And I'm just like, okay, you know, I just would say, okay, thank you for the information. And then I will go ahead and make almond milk or I will go home and make sesame seed milk, and I will still give that to them, you know.
So it's a it's a tricky situation. But to navigate it and just agree that you know, they're not in my home. They don't know what we're doing. But I will look okay. Thank you. Thank you for the information. We will do that and then that's it. But it's so interesting. It seems like the medical profession should help and support and, they, they don't, you know, so I think it's so important what you're doing as well.
I'm so happy that I met you, because I would love to have had access to your information and your knowledge during those years of raising my children. It just would have made things so much easier. So you are a blessing to parents. raising vegans, you know, during this time in 2024.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Well, thank you for that. I appreciate your kind words, and it's unfortunate to hear that you had to experience that because from my personal experience, I've experienced that with family. But many other vegan caregivers have experienced the exact same thing as you did with their own health care providers. And it's unfortunate that we can't just, you know, be free about it.
And we have to be silence. And to be honest, I find it really unethical for health care providers to not support us, rather than telling us that our kids need meat and dairy, why can't they just refer us to someone else?
Mistye Momon:
Exactly. Or be knowledgeable about the fact that vegetables, actually have protein in some units that that they're that same grains that have protein in them. You can get iron, you can get vitamins and minerals from plants, and vegetables, you know, and yes, we can also supplement. You can even provide us with some supplements too, you know, instead of ridiculing us and making us feel like, you know, if our children aren't on cows milk, they're not going to develop strong bones, which is absolutely ridiculous.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
I agree, yes. There's so many, non benefits to cows milk. If that makes any sense.
Mistye Momon:
Yes it does and makes a lot of sense.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Now, I know meal ideas is something that my audience is frequently asking. Can you share a little bit about what what are some favorite meals or favorite foods that are part of your family meals?
Mistye Momon:
Oh yes. Oh my. I just made their favorite meal last night and it is lasagna. They adore lasagna. I cannot make enough lasagna. Definitely because I am feeding, you know, five five children and two actually young adults and they eat a lot of food. I made it a point to, you know, have a stretch to break, but I made it a point to make things that lasted a long time.
Right? Like a big pan of lasagna or maybe two pans of lasagna. So, I don't have to go in and give you lunch as well. That is something that is really good. So if you can learn how to make some lasagna, keep it simple. We make it really simple. We just throw a few vegetables in there.
I realize they don't want broccoli and lasagna. That annoys them, but spinach yes, you know, and and we keep it simple. We do, a lot of pasta dishes. which can go a long way as well. So I'll do like, a Alfredo, like a tofu Alfredo, pasta dish for them. Lots of salads. They love salads.
That is super simple and easy to put together and stews. We do like a curry, coconut, stew. They love, rice. They love Basmati. They love jasmine rice. Our, you know, our our vegan kids are a little bougie, right. Because we, we exposing them to to different cultures and different foods. instead of just, you know, the traditional American diet.
So, so we do lots of curry, we do a coconut curry. So I just put broccoli, spinach, bok choy, and tofu in it. Sometimes chickpeas. Most of my kids don't like beans or so I have to be careful with that. and then I just put the curry and I put the coconut milk. That way it makes a lot.
Yeah. And then we have a lot of rice. And so we can kind of eat on that. So my goal, you know, with such a big family is really to make meals that can last and that can last a few days. So that's curry, that lasagna, those pasta dishes and fried rice. They adore fried rice. Can can really go a long way and keep it simple, you know, so that we're not stressing out and that because because having having these many personalities everyone doesn't like the same thing, right?
Yeah. So that makes it a challenge. So I just try to keep it general. Okay? I know everyone loves lasagna. Let's do that. Everyone loves anything with pasta or noodles. We can do that. I know everyone loves tofu. And you can do tofu a million different ways. Long as I have some rice, I try to keep it a protein, a rice, I mean a protein, a starch and a vegetable. And as long as I keep that in mind, we are good to go.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Yeah. All those amazing meals that you just mentioned sounds incredible. We ourselves like, an Alfredo pasta where I mix tofu, just like you did in the sauce. So I put tofu, sometimes cashews, nutritional yeast, and then that just makes an Alfredo sauce. Now, it's funny that many individuals believe that our kids are restricted in their diet, when really we are providing an array of variety of plant based foods, not just from fruits and vegetables, from grains, nuts, seeds, legumes.
And so we are really making a conscientious choice to not only raise them on a more compassionate eating pattern, but introduce them to a variety of foods and cultural flavors like you mentioned.
Mistye Momon:
Yes, I agree, I think that is the most exciting thing. Like, I'm so enamored sometimes when my children know what a rambutan is, you know, like because I've expose them to it, you know, it's like, oh, let's try this fruit, let's try this fruit. let's try that. Oh, this is quinoa, this is couscous. This, you know, it's we're exposing them, I think, to way more things than on a traditional, you know, meat-eating diet.
And I think that's great. And I tell a lot of parents and moms, and people who are, who are, you know, hesitant about going vegan. I was like, well, if first of all, I like to cook. So that's not, you know, that's a whole other story. But eat by culture and you can have a different variety, you know, you can eat Indian culture, you can eat Ethiopian, you can eat Italian, you can eat Caribbean. And that way you can have a variety of different foods to try. And not just the same, burgers and fries or trying to make a vegan chicken wing, whatever it is you know, you can eat by culture. That way you can expand the palate and expose them to different spices and different types of foods, nuts and grains.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Yeah, it's wonderful the type of meals that we can have all on plants.
Mistye Momon:
All on plants!
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Now, what advice would you offer to other parents or caregivers who may be considering raising their kids vegan, or who are currently raising their kids vegan?
Mistye Momon:
I would say once again, like I spoke, at the summit is education. Educate yourself. you know, getting together with someone like you who is well versed in nutrition is helpful. And that's what I mean by education. Like knowing what foods you need? That's the first thing about being vegan. It's beyond just cutting out, you know, the dairy and the eggs.
You need to know what your body requires. You know. You know, you need to know that you do need protein. You do need iron. You do need calcium and magnesium. You know, you do need these things and then do your research. Okay. Well, what provides this? Oh, quinoa provides this. Oh spinach provides this. Bok choy provides this. And that way you can kind of create a list of all the vegetables and fruits and grains that you can experiment with.
That would be step one is just really educate yourself on what the body needs essentially to just live and stay alive. You know what? What are sources of vitamin C beyond oranges? You know, there's so many sources of Vitamin C. Yes. and and even Vitamin D, you know, and so start the start with the education component of it. Grab some awesome cookbooks out there, do some research, and then get into get into it, you know, try different things. You kind of got to venture out there and see what your children like, because we know we have picky eaters and they like everything that we present in front of them. But when we find something that they love, it's like, yes, okay.
Oh, you love oatmeal for breakfast? Okay. Now what can I add to that? Right. To make it more nutritious. Right. Flax meal, you know, maybe a little bit of raisins, some cinnamon, some agave, you know, just to kind of make them feel like it's more than just a bowl of oatmeal. but I would say educate yourself. Get a list of all of the vegetables and fruits that you can possibly use and get creative.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Yeah, I love those suggestions and I like the one to educate yourself because I think once you know what nutrient or what other health benefits are in plant foods provide, then you can be very creative, as you mentioned, and you can make a million other creations with those, right?
Mistye Momon:
Exactly. I agree.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Well, let our listeners know where they can find more about you and a little bit about Buttafly Kisses Vegan Treats, because I know that that vegan snack and food company is something that we all need in our area.
Mistye Momon:
Yes. Well, I'm local to Atlanta right now. I am revamping my website so that I can ship nationwide, which is amazing.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
That's amazing!
Mistye Momon:
I'm so excited. I'm so excited. He's giving me, the final, preview. hopefully today, I think he said yesterday, I haven't got it so hopefully today. that way I can ship nationwide and people can, get our products anywhere. But, I am on Instagram at Buttafly Kisses ATL and it's spelled b-u-t-t-a-f-l-y kisses ATL and you can also find that same, information on our website which is also buttaflykissesatl.com.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Well thank you Mistye and we'll leave the link to your website and Instagram account in our show notes, but please visit Mistye at her vegan bakery if you live in the area, we know there's a need for more businesses like her. And if you're having a birthday party, please come to Mistye's, business to get some cupcakes or cake or cookies to celebrate your own vegan child celebrations.
Mistye Momon:
Thank you. Thank you so much, Karla. I appreciate you and this was a great conversation.
Karla Moreno-Bryce:
Well, thanks so much for coming to the Vegan Nutrition Podcast, Mistye and share your expertise with the audience.